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“Cleaning up after identity theft is a marathon, not a sprint. Prepare your mind accordingly.” – Frank Mellott
In the United States, tomorrow is known as Black Friday, typically one of the biggest shopping days of the year as it launches the traditional holiday buying season. Some of you might also recognize it as Buy Nothing Day. Of course, the best way to prevent identity theft is to stay home and buy nothing, but many will still be waking up early or perhaps not going to bed this evening.
If you are hitting the malls, then here are some things you can do to prevent a stolen identity.
First, let’s take an inventory of what’s in your wallet:
Do you carry your Social Security card around with you? There isn’t any good reason to have this in your wallet. Take it out for good and keep it at home.
Do you have any other cards that have your SSN on it? Insurance cards often use your SSN as your customer ID. Make a copy of it then black out or cut off the SSN.
Next, look at how many other cards you carry with identifying information on it. Limit the number of these. The more cards you carry, the more information a thief has to piece together a new identity.
At home, make sure you keep a list of every card in your wallet. Include the account number and phone number so you can promptly notify the credit card company or bank if the card is lost or stolen.
Finally, this sounds silly, but be mindful of open purses and leaving wallets on counter tops and places where they can be easily taken.
Those are things you can do before stepping into the mall. But here are some other tips that are equally important:
Become best friends forever with the paper shredder. My shredder just broke (likely from overuse) and when asked by my mother what I wanted for Christmas, I quickly indicated a gift card to Staples would be nice so I can replace ASAP.
What should you be shredding? Start with these: credit card receipts, credit applications, bank checks, and financial statements. Invest in a shredder (make sure it’s the cross-cut variety) and think of something fun to do with all that confetti.
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Finally, get off mailing lists so you’re not receiving unsolicited credit card or insurance offers.
According to the US Postal Service, last year alone, more than 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft. It can be prevented! Click here for more suggestions.
Still scratching you’re head? Find out if you’re at risk for identity theft by taking this test. It gauges savviness with document disposal, social security number protection, information handling and scams.
Be safe and enjoy Black Friday!
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Nina blogs about money at Queercents.
